TORONTO – The new Board of the Canadian Communications Foundation (CCF) said it’s moving to address the need for new funding so that it can continue. CCF provides the definitive history of broadcasting in Canada on its website and was originally funded by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, and later supported through CRTC-approved Benefits Package grants from BCE and Astral. A registered non-profit charitable organization, CCF has also benefitted from private donors in the past.
This past Thursday the CCF elected its 2012-2013 Board at the Foundation’s Annual General Meeting at Ryerson University in Toronto.
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BANFF – The Banff World Media Festival has put out a call for program competition entries for its June 2013 international Rockies Program Competition.
Known as ‘The Rockies,’ Banff’s program competition celebrates the “best of the best” in international television and digital media content. The Rockies is the largest international program competition in the media content industry and attracts over a thousand entries from more than 40 countries annually.
Each year, The Rockies honour the immeasurable contribution of some of the biggest names in the industry at the Rockie Awards Gala including, Ricky Gervais,…
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by Steve Faguy
GATINEAU – With the recent, unexpected and much-publicized denial of Bell Canada’s purchase of Astral Media (because the players didn't prove the transaction to be a net benefit to Canadians) as a backdrop, the CRTC made it clear to Rogers Media Wednesday that its tough line isn't limited to Canada's largest media company.
At a hearing in Gatineau on Wednesday, the commission grilled Rogers, Channel Zero and a Montreal-based start-up on their multi-part plan to essentially convert ethnic television station CJNT Montreal (branded Metro 14) into two television stations, allowing Citytv to enter Canada's second-largest…
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OTTAWA – Wireless carriers are taking action to create a national system in Canada that would blacklist lost or stolen smartphones and keep them from being reactivated.
Until now when a phone was reported lost or stolen carriers would suspend service to the device. But there were no measures in place to stop the person who stole it, or bought it from the thief, from reactivating the phone under a new account.
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) and Canada's wireless carriers are pledging to assist law enforcement agencies with their efforts to combat…
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OTTAWA – The government has announced new regulations exempting microSD memory cards from levies under the private copying regime.
"Our government is committed to building a strong and vibrant Canadian digital economy and the wide-spread adoption of digital technology is the foundation upon which it will be built," said Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry. "To extend a levy to one of the technologies that underpins this increased engagement, adoption and growth just does not make sense."
MicroSD cards are removable memory devices commonly used in mobile devices, such as smart phones, to store pictures, music…
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By John Bugailiskis
TORONTO – While the industry is still digesting the CRTC killing Bell’s takeover of Astral, the decision does not signal a dramatic change in policy at the Commission. Instead it continues to work to strike the right balance between the best interests of consumers and industry, said Tom Pentefountas, vice-chairman, broadcasting for the CRTC.
Pentefountas was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the Ontario Association of Broadcasters Connections 2012 luncheon at the Westin Bristol Place Hotel. However, he appeared to contradict his business as usual stance somewhat when he went off script and joked…
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OTTAWA – The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) and Canada's wireless carriers will unveil their plan of action to assist law enforcement agencies with their efforts to combat the theft of wireless devices and the valuable data within them.
It's something the CRTC has been demanding action on throughout this year, as Cartt.ca has reported — and something Ontario Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian says is a must.
The plan will be released Thursday, November 8, 2012 during a 10 am press conference in the Fairmont Château Laurier (Québec Suite) 1…
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TORONTO – The Connection 2012 conference attracted a record number of attendees reports the Ontario Association of Broadcasters (OAB).
“ OAB Connection 2012 hit a new high level for our annual conference. Our six speakers presented a diverse set of perspectives on current trends affecting our industry through the eyes of marketers, programmes, an investment analyst, a sales professional, and a market researcher,” remarked OAB President, Doug Kirk.
The conference, at the Westin Bristol Place Hotel, featured an extensive line-up of industry speakers including Scott Cuthbertson, Sean Ross, Donald Cooper, Paul Weyland, and Alastair…
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MONTREAL – Bell Mobility is launching new unlimited talk and text plans for its new smartphones and next generation 4G LTE wireless services. Beginning November 9, Canadians can choose from plans starting as low as $55 and offering unlimited messaging including pictures and video.
"Talk and text just got better with Bell. We're proud to be at the forefront of delivering ever-greater value to Canadian consumers, unleashing the power and potential of Bell's tremendous range of superphones and other great mobile devices," said Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility and Bell Residential Services, and Bell's Chief…
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TORONTO – Canadians who have taken to social media to actively talk about TV they’re watching – as they’re watching it – have become a widespread phenomenon. Described as "social TV viewers," they represented 27% of online Canadians in the second quarter of 2012, according to Solution Research Group’s Digital Life Canada tracking study.
Social TV has become the industry term describing real-time social interaction that occurs between viewers on Twitter and Facebook, plus conversations on new mobile apps, as they watch TV. The interaction can include posts that allow people to watch TV as well as connect with viewers…
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